At present, a global challenge of non stop ballonists draws our attention to these projects. For example, a few days ago three European ballonists , the Swiss aeronaut and psychiatrist Bertrand Piccard, the British flight engineer Andrew Elson and the Belgian pilot and navigator Wim Verstraeten began their attempt to circle the globe non stop. One of the most interesting detailes is that Piccard's profession is psychiatrist which also reflects a possible purposes of a parallel research project with the assistance of this satellite system.
For several reasons representatives of this profession have a special role in this development. In many cases their observations and direct experiences assist developers of this satellite system, in the solutions of appeared problems. For example, at present, considering the weak winds over the Mediterranean the three ballonists are disappointed. By news sources, it is their 14th attempt to circle the globe. Their ballon, the 117 feet high Breitling Orbiter is enable to rise to 5.6 to 8.8 miles and to be propelled at speeds from 125-250 mph.
However, names of two British ballonists can also be highlighted. Andrew Elson and his rival, Richard Branson whose ballon is over Morocco at present. The bearded Andrew Nelson was ,for example, the first who crossed the world's highest mountain, the Mount Everest by ballon in 1991.
However, other experiences of ballonists are also very useful in the development of this satellite system. For example, it is not impossible to assist their ways to circle the globe non stop. Nevertheless, the air space of China can also be avoided. By this time none of the rivals has won permission from China to overfly its strictly controlled huge territory...
Very important scientific results characterise this development in the aerodynamics which can also be used, for example, in the aviation, traffic control, the navigation, meteorology, agriculture abd so on. However, the present disappointed status of ballonists is probably also a message. For example, a large number of these scientific results can already be published; however, as a spokesman of the European team also reported : "the forecast is for slow winds again ..."
Jan 31, 1998
